第3章
An"it"sallerssim"lar；Ineveryetholdsbetterthanace-highwhenthestake"salady。
"It"stroo，"hecontinued，reflectivelypuffinghispipe。"Iwasdisp"sitionedforawifethata-waywhenI"macolt。Butthat"salongtimeago；Iain"tinlinefornosechgymnasticsnomore；myyearsis"wayag"init。
"You"vegottoketchfolksyoungtomarry"em。Aftertheygetstobethirtyyearstheygoesslowlytothealtar。Ifyouaimstomarryagentafterhe"sthirtyyouhastoblindfoldhiman"backhimin。
Females，ofcourse，ain"tsoobdurate。No；Is"posethisyerebein"
marriedisaheaphabit，sameastobaccoan"jig-juice。Ifagenttakesahandearly，it"sagoodgame，Imakesnosortofdoubt。Butlethimgettomillin""roundinthethirtiesorlater，an"himnotbegunnoneasyet；youbethedon"tmarrynothin"。
"Baranonexplainabledifferencewiththegirl"soldman，"hewentonwithanairofthought，"Is"poseI"dbeallmarriedrightnow。I
wastwenty，themtimes。It"s"waybackinTennessee。Herfolkslivesabout"levenmilesfrommeoutonthePineKnotPike，an"onceintwoweeksIsaddlesupan"sortersidlesover。Thar"sjestheroldpapan"hermotheran"herinthefam"ly，an"it"sthatfarIallersmadetostayallnight。Thar"sonlytwobeds，an"soI"mputtocampalongoftheoldmanthetimesIstays。
"ThemdaysI"m"waybashfulan"behindonallsocialplays，an"amplentyawe-struckabouttheoldfoiks。Ineverfeelshappyaminutewheretheybe。Theoldladydoesherbesttomakemeeasyan"free，too。ComesoutwhenIridesup，an"letsdownthebarsformyhoss，an"asksmetorestmyhatthesecondI"minthedoor。
"Whichmattersgoesongoodenoughontilmebbyit"stheeighthtimeI"mthar。Iremembersthenightallperfect。Mean"thegirlsetsupawhile，an"thenIquitsheran"turnsin。Igetstosleepa-layin"
alongtheaigeofthebed，aimin"tokeep"wayfromtheoldman，who"ssnorln"an"thrashin""roundan"takin"onoverinthemiddle。
"Idon"trecallmuchofnothin"ontilIcomesto，a-holdin"totheoldman"sy"earwithonehandan"a-hammerin"ofhisfeatureswitht"other。Idon"tknowyet，why。Is"poseI"mlocoedan"dreamin"，anallowshe"sab"arorsomethin"inmysleepthata-way，an"triestokillhim。"Son，it"s"waybackalongtime，butIshuddersyetwhenIreflectsonthatoldman"slanguage。IjumpsupwhenIrealizesthings，grabsmyraiment，an"，gettin"myhossoutenthecorral，goesp"intin"downthepikemore"namile"foreIevenstopstodress。ThelastIseesoftheoldmanlie"sbuckin"an"pitchin"an"
tossin"，an"thefemalesa-holdin"ofhim，an"hereachin"togetaHawkins"srifleashangsoverthedoor。Inevergoesbacknomore，"causehe"smightytindictiveaboutit。Hetriestomakeitagrandjurymatternextco"t-time。
"Speakin"ofnuptials，however，youcan"ttellmuchaboutwomen。
Thar"sagirlwhoshorelys"prisesusonceinawayoutinWolfville。MissisRucker，whorunstheO。K。Restauraw，getsthisfemalefromTucsontofryflap-jacksan"salthoss，an"he"pherdealherlittlegastronomicgame。Thisyeregirl"snameisJennie-
TucsonJennie。Shelookslikeshe"sanice，goodgirl，too；oneofthemwhichit"seasytolove，an"inless"ntwoweeksthar"shalfthecampgetssmitten。"Itaffectsbusiness，it"sthatbad。CherokeeHalltellsmetharain"thalfthemoneygetschangedinatfaroasusual，an"theNewYorkStorereportsgentsgoin"brokeag"inbiledshirts，an"sim"lardeadfallsdaily。Ofcoursethisyerefirstfrenzysubsidesawholelotafteramonth。"AllthistimeJennieain"tsayin"aword。Shejestshovesthemfoolishyoothstheirenchiladasan"ckileconcarne，an"ignoresallwinksan"lookscomplete。
"Thar"sapartynamedJimBaxterincamp，an"hesetsintowinJenniehard。Jimtriestocrowdthegamean"getaction。Itlookslikehe"sduetomakethetriptoo。MissisRuckerisbackin"hisplay，an"Jennieherse"fsorterletshimset"roundinthekitchenan"watchherwork；whichthisyoreislicensean"riotitse"fcomparedwithhowshetreatsothers。OccasionallysomeofussortertriestostackupforJiman"figgeroutwherehestandswiththethegame。
""How"sitgoin"，Baxter？"Enrightasksoneday。
""It"stoomanyforme，"saysJim。"Some-timesIthinksIcorralsher，an"thenag"initlookslikeIain"tinit。JestnowI"mfeelin"somedejected。"
""Somethin"oughterbeschemedtosettlethisyere，"saysEnright。
"Itkeepsthecampinafever，an"mebbygetsseriousan"spreads。"
""Ifsomebodywouldonlyprancein，"saysDocPeets，"an"shootJimupsome，you"dhavehereasy。Femalesislikearabbitinabush-
pile；youhastoshakethingsupalottomake"emcomeout。Now，ifJimisdyin"an"shecaresforhim，she"sshorelygoin"toshowherhand。"
"IwantstopauserightyeretoobservethatDocPeetsisthebest-
eddicatedsharpIeverencountersinmylife。An"whathedon"tknowaboutsquawsisvaluelessasinformation。Buttogoonwiththedeal。
""That"sright，"saysCherokeeHall，"butofcourseitain"tgoin"
todotoshootJimupnone。"
""Idon"tknow，"saysJim；"IstandsquitearacketifI"mshoreitfetchesher。"
""Whatforagame，"saysCherokee，"woulditbetoplaylikeJim"sshot？Wouldn"tthatmakehercomea-runnin"sameasifit"sshore"nough？"
""Idon"tseewhynot，"saysEnright。
"Well，theideegainsgroundlikeanantelope，an"atlastgetstobequiteaconspir"cy。It"ssettledweplaysit，withDaveTutttodotheshootin"。
""An"wemakesthegamecomplete，"saysJackMoore，"bygrabbin"
Daveimmediatean"bringin"ofhimbeforethecommittee，whichconvenesallreg"laran"deecorousintheRedLightforsaidpurpose。We-allsmustlineoutlikewe"regoin"tohangDaveforthekillin"；otherwiseitdon"tlooknacheralnohow，an"theladydetectsit"sabluff。"
"Wegetsthingsallready，an"inthemiddleoftheafternoon，whenJennieisdraggin"herlariat"roundloosean"nothin"muchtodo——
"causeweain"taimin"todisturbhernoneinherdootiestouchin"
themflapjacksan"salthoss——we-allsassemblesoverintheNewYorkStore。AsapreliminarystepwelaysJimonsomeboxes，withawagon-coveroverhim，likehe"sdeceased。
""Cl"arthingsoutofthewayalongbyJim"shead，"saysJackMoore，whoistakin"abiginterest。"WewantstofixthingssoJencanswarminathimeasy。Youhearme!she"sgoin"tocomestampedin"inyerelikewildcattlewhenshegetsthenews。"
"Wheneverythin"sready，Tuttan"Jack，whoconcloodsit"swelltohaveagooddealofshootin"，bangsawaywiththeirgunsaboutfourtimesapiece。
""Jestshootin"onceortwice，"saysJack，"mightarousehers"picions。Itwouldbeaheaptoobrieffortherealthing。"
"Theminutetheshootin"isceasedwe-allstakesTuttan"surgesovertotheRedLighttotryhim；a-pendin"ofwhichDanBoggssa"ntersacrosstotheO。K。Restaurawan"remarks，allcasooalan"
carelesslike:
""DaveTuttdownsJimBaxteraminuteback；goodcleangun-playaseverIsees，too。Mightybigcredittobothboysthisyereis。Noshootin"upthesceneryan"thebystanders；nosechslobberin"work；
buteverythin"carriesstraighttocenters。"
""Whereishe？"saysJennie，lookin"breathlessan"sick。
""Jim"sremainderisintheNewYorkStore，"saysDan。
""Ishehurt？"shegasps。
""Idon"treckonhehurtsnonenow，"saysDan，""causehe"sdonecashedinhisstack。Why!girl，he"sdead；eighteenbullets，caliberforty-five，plumbthroughhim。"
""No，butDave!IsDaveshot？"TucsonJenniesays，a-wringin"ofhersmallpaws。
""Nowdon"tyougotofeelin"discouragednone，"saysDan，beginnin"
tofeelsorryforher。"Wefixesthewretchsohismurderin"speritwon"tbeanhourbehindJim"sgettin"in。TheStranglershashimintheRedLight，makin"planstostretchhimrightnow。"
"We-allshasconsoomeddrinksall"round，an"Enrightisinthechair，an"we"rebusysettin"upabigfrontabouthearin"thecase，whenTucsonJennie，withascreamasscaresupsurroundin"thingstosechalimitthatfiveponieshopsoutofthecorralan"flies，comeschargin"intotheRedLight，an"thenextinstantshedrifts"roundTutt"snecklikesomuchsnow。
""Whatforagamedoyoucallthis，anyhow？"saysJackMoore，who"saheapscand"lized。"Isthisyeremaidenplayin"anythin"onthiscamp？"
""She"splumblocoedwithgrief，"saysDanBoggs，whofollersherin，"an"she"sdonegot"emmixedinhermind。ShethinksDaveisBaxter。"
""That"sit，"saysCherokee。"Hermind"sstampededwiththeshock。
Mean"JacktakesherovertoJim"scorpse，an"that"sshoretoreviveher。"An"withthatCherokeean"Jackgoesuptoleadheraway。
""Savehim，MisterEnright；savehim!"shepleads，stillclingin"toTutt"sneckliketheloopofalariat。"Don"tlet"emhanghim!Savehimformysake!"
""Holdon，Jack，"saysEnright，whobynowislookin"somethoughtful。"JesteverybodystandtheirhandsyeretillIcountsthepotan"noteswho"sshy。Itlookslikewe"recinchin"thehullontothewrongbronco。Letmeaskthisfemaleaquestion。Youngwoman，"
hesaystoTucsonJennie，"beyoufullyinformedastowhoseneckyou"rehangin"to？"
""It"sDave"s，ain"tit？"shesays，lookin"alltearfulinhisfacetomakeshore。
"Enrightan"therestofusdon"tsaynothin"，butgazesateachother。Tuttflushesupan"showspleasedbothatonce。Butallthesameheputshisarms"roundherlikethedead-gamegentheis。
""What"llyou-allshave，gents？"Enrightsaysatlast，quietan"
thoughtful。"Thedrinksisonme，barkeep。"
""Excuseme，"saysDocPeets，"butastheauthorofthisyereplot，Itakesitthep"isonisonme。Barkeep，setoutallyourbottles。"
""Gents，"saysJackMoore，"I"maspeacefulapersonaseverjingledaspurorpulledaguninWolfville；butasIreflectsontheactivepartItakesintheseyereceremonies，Iwon"tberesponsibleforresultsifanycitizencomesbetweenmean"payin"forthedrinks。
Barkeep，I"mdoin"thismyse"f。"
"Well，it"shardenoomeratin"howmanydrinkswedohave。JimBaxterthrowsawaythewagoncoveran"comesoverfromtheNewYorkStorean"standsinwithus。Itgetstobeaorgy。
""Ofcourseit"sallright，"saysEnright，"thecampwinswithTuttinsteadofBaxter；that"sall。It"lustratesoneofthembeautifulcharacteristicsofthegentlersex，too。Yere"sBaxter，tosaynothin"oftwentyothers，asbesiegesan"beleaguersthisyerefemaleforsixweeks，an"shescorns"em。Yere"sTutt，whoain"tmakin"amove，an"shegrabshim。Itissechoncertainties，gents，asmakestheloveofwomanvaluable。"""You-allsshouldhaveaskedme，"saysFaroNell，whocomesinrightthenan"roundsupclosetoCherokee。
"IcouldtellyoutwoweeksagoJennie"sinlovewithTutt。Anybodycouldseeit。Why!she"sbeenfeedin"ofhimtwiceasgoodgrubasshedoesanybodyelse。""
CHAPTERVII。
TUCSONJENNIE"SJEALOUSY。
"No；Davean"hiswifeprospersalongallright。Thatis，theyprospersallbutonce；that"swhenJenniegetsjealous。"
TheOldCattlemanwasrespondingtomyquestion。IwasfullofanidleinterestanddisposedtogofurtherintotheaffairsofTuttandTucsonJennie。
"DocPeets，"continuedtheoldgentleman，"allerstellsmeonthesidethar"snothin"inDave"sconductonbecomin"afam"lymanthata-way，an"thatJen"ssimplybarkin"ataknot。But，howeverthatis，Davedon"tseemtogainnocomfortofitatthetime。Icanseemyse"fshegetsDaveplumbtreedan"outonalimbbythemaccusationswhenshemakes"em。Heshorelylooksguilty；an"yet，whileIstandsovertheplayfromthefirst，Ican"tseewhereDavedoeswrong。
"However，Idon"tputmyse"ffor"ardasnogoodjedgeindomesticaffairs。Bein"singlemyse"fthata-way，femalesisondoubtedwhatDocPeetscallsa"theery"withme。Butnevertheless，inanonpresoomin"，lowlyway，Igivesitasmymeagerjedgement，an"I
givesitcold，ashowajealouswomanisworsethant"rant"lers。
She"splumblocoedforonething；an"thar"snosechthingasorganizin"tomeethergame。Formyse"f，Idon"twantnotransactionswith"em；nonewhatever。
"Thisyeredomesticuprisin"ofDave"swifebreaksonWolfvilleasonexpectedasafifthaceinapokerdeck；itleavesthecampallspraddledout。TucsonJenniean"Dave"sbeenweddedgoin"onsixmonths。Thecamp，asIrelates，attendsthenuptialsinabody，an"，followin"ofthefestivities，TucsonJenniean"Davetumblesintohousekeepin"peacefulastwopupsinabasket。
"Wolfville"sproudof"em，an"everytimesomeign"rantbein"asksaboutWolfvillean"thesocialfeaturesofthecamp，weallersmentionsTuttan"hiswife，an"tellshowtheykeepshouse，sorterupholsterin"ourbluff。
"That"showthedealstands，whenonedayupjumpsthisTucsonJennie，putsonhersunbunnit，an"goesstampedin"downtotheU。K。
House，an"allowstoMissisRuckerthatshe"sdonelivedwithDaveallsheaimsto，an"hasshorepulledherpicketpinforgood。SheputsitupDaveisabase，deceitfulsharpthata-way，an"informsMissisRucker，allmixedupwithtears，ashowshenowdesirestogobackinthekitchenan"cook，sameaswhenDaveroundsherupforhiswife。
"Yere"sthewholestory，an"whileInursescertainviewstharon，I
leavesittoyouentiretosayhowmuchTucsonJennieisjestified。
Iknowsallaboutit，forI"mobleegedtobeinonthedealfromsodatohock。
"It"smightylikelyamonthbeforethetimeTucsonJenniebreaksthroughDave"slinesthisa-way。Davean"me"sduetogoovertowardstheTresHermanasaboutsomecattle。Likewisethar"sanEnglishoutfitallowin"they"llgoalongsome，toseewherethey"vebeenstackin"inheavyonsomeranchlands。TheywaseagerforDavean"metotrailalongwith"em，an"sorterrideherdon"em，an"
keep"emfromgettin"mixedupwiththescenery——whichthesameisshorelycomplicatedinthefoot-hillsoftheTresHermanas——an"
losin"themse"fsaheap。
""Whichyou"dbetterdoit，boys，"saysEnright。"S"posethemfolksbesometrouble。It"samightysightbetterthanhavin""emgop"intin"offalonethata-way。Theywouldshoremissthewayiftheydoes；an"thefirstwe-allsknows，theseyereBritonswouldberunnin"cimmaroninthehills，scarin"upthingsalot，an"a-
stampedin"thecattleplumbofftherange。It"seasiertogoalongcarefulwith"eman"bring"emback。"
"Itcomes，then，thatonemornin"Davean"mean"theseyerealienslinesoutforthehills。They"vegotponies，an"wagons，an"camp-
outfittothatextentacasooalonlookermightthinktheyaimstobeawayforyears。
"Aswep"intsoutfromtheO。K。House，wherethemBritonshasbeenwrastlin"theirchuckpendin"thestart，TucsonJennieistharsayin""goodby"toDave。Inotesthensheain"ttickledtodeathnoneaboutsomethin"，butdon"tdeemnothin"speshulofit。
"TheBritonsismadeupoftwogents，mebbyasoldasEnright——
brothersiswhattheybe——an"afemalewho"sthedaughterofoneof"em。Whichthar"snothin"recentaboutthisyerelady，though；an"I
reckonsshe"smightylikelyfortyyearsold。Ilearnslater，however，it"sthisfemalewhichTucsonJennieresentswhenshesays"adios"toDave。
"Itshorestrikesmenow，whenyearsispassed，assomemarv"loushowahan"some，corn-fedfemalelikeTucsonJenniemanagestofoundafightwithDaveoverthisyeretoweristwoman。I"mnacherallyslowtogodecidin"betsag"inalady"slooks，butwhateverTucsonJennieseesintheappearanceofthispersonwhichislikelytoinviggleDaveistoomanyforme。IsoftensthestatementaheapwhenIsaysshe"suglierthanaMexicansheep。
"However，thatdon"tseemtooccurtoTucsonJennie；an"DocPeets——
who"sthewisestsharpinArizona——allowstomeafterwardsashowTucsonJennieiscuttin"thekyardswithherse"fdesp"ratetoseewhethershedeclar"swarattheverytimewemakesourstart。Ifshedoes，sheturnsthelowkyard，forshedon"tsaynothin"，an"wegetsaway，an"allisprofoundpeace。
"Fourdayslaterwe"reincampbyawater-holeinthefrillofthefoot-hills。TheBritonshasgotupawalltentan"isshorelyhavin"
ahighan"lavishtime。Davean"meain"tpayin"noattentionto"emspeshul，aswedon"tseehownoneisneeded。Besides，wehassomehardridin"todolookin"upplacesforalineofsigncamps。
"It"stheseconddaywhenwenoticesanoutfitofInjunscampeddownthevalleyfromus。They"sallserenean"peacefulenough；withsquaws，papooses，an"dogs；an"ain"tthinkin"nomoreofbein"
hostilethanwebe。
"Ofcourse，nosoonerdoestheseyereBritonsofoursbeholdthisbandofsavagesthantheyhastogoprojectin"round"em。That"stheworstthingaboutatowerist；he"sthatloadedwithcur"osity，an"
thatgregar"ousan"amiable，hehastogofoolin""roundeverystrangerlietracksupwith。Intheirign"rancetheyevengetsthatroodean"insultin"attimes，thatIknows"emwho"sthatregardlessan"imp"liteastoupan"askarankstrangerthata-waytopass"emhisguntolookat。
"An"so，asIsays，nosoonerdoesthemInjunsgetnearus，thanthemthreeblessedforeignersisoverafter"em；ropin"atem"withquestionsan"invadin"of"em，an"examinin"of"emlikethewholetribe"sforsalean"theyaimstoacquire"emiffiggersisreasonable。
"Ineverdoesknowwhatthefemaletoweristsaysordoestothatpartic"laraborigine-nothin"mostlikely；butitain"tadaywhenoneofthemInjunssettlesitwithhimse"fhewantstowedher。Thetoweristsisinign"ranceoftheviewsofthissavage，whogoesaboutdealin"hisgameInjunfashion。
"It"sthisa-way:Davean"metrailsinoneevenin"somewearyan"
played；it"sbeenahardridethatday。Whichthefirstthingwelayseyesonatthecampshorelylivensusupalot。Thar，tiedtothewagon-wheels，isnineponies，whichthesamebelongstotheInjuns。
""Whateverbetheseyerebroncosdoin"yere？"saysDave，forweallows，thefirstdashoutenthebox，mebbytheBritonsmakesapurchase。
"Oneofthetoweriststellsalongan"delightedstoryaboutthegen"rosityoftheInjuns。
""Actooally，"saysthistowerist，"themgen"roussavagesleadsuptheseyerenineponiesan"donates"em。"
"Davean"measksquestions；andalltharistothedeal——whichit"sshoreenoughtobustDave"sfam"lybeforeit"sover——themInjunsbringsupthenineponiesallrespectful，an"leaves"emhobbledout，mebbyit"sahundredyardsfromtheBritons，an"ridesaway。
TheBritons，deemin"thisbluffasinthelineofgifts，capersoveran"possessesthemse"fsoftheponiesan"leads"emin。That"stheoutsideofthestore。
""Well，stranger，"saysDaveinreply，takin"ofthetoweristoneside，"Iain"taimin"todiscourageyounone，butyou-allshasgonean"gotalltangledupinyourlariat。"
""Whatforanontanglementisit？"asksthetowerist。
""Nothin"，"saysDave，sorterbreakin"ittohimeasy，"nothin"，onlyyou"vedonemarriedyourdaughtertooneofthemInjuns。"
"WhenDaveannouncesthisyeretroothitshorelooksliketheBriton"sgoin"toneedwhiskeytoupholdhimse"f。Buthereorganizes，an"DaveexplainsthattheInjuns，whentheytrailsinwiththeponies，issimplyshufflin"foraweddin"；they"sofferin"
whatthey-allscallsa"price"forthewoman。
""An"whenyou-allsleadsintheponies，"saysDave，"thatsettlesit。Youagreestodealrightthar。To-morrow，now，thisyerebuck，whoeverheis，willcomesurgin"inwithhisrelationsplumbdowntothirdcousins；an"heexpectsyou"llbedeadreadytofeed"em，an"
winduptheorgybypassin"overthebride。"
"YoucanbetthemreecitalsofDave"sisplentyhorribletothetowerist。Heallowswemustkeepitfromhisdaughter；an"thenheputshipwholeoutfitinDave"shands，toget"emsafeontohighgrounds。
""Can"twepullourfreightinthenight？"saysthetowerist，an"
he"sshorelyanxious。
""Toomuchmoon，"saysDave；"an"then，ag"in，thewholeInjunoutfit"sbelowusinthedraw，an"wenevergetsbyonceinathousandtimes。No，"goesonDave，"oneshorethingwecan"tbackoutnorcrawloff。We-allshastoplaythehandplumbthrough:
"ThenDavetellsthetoweristhiman"metalksoverthisyereweddin"whichhedonegoesintosoinadvertent；an"ifthar"sachancetosavehimfrombecomin"afather-in-lawabrupt，we"llplayittowin。
""Thisyereistheonlywagon-trackout；saysDavetome，afterwepow-wowsanhour。"YougodowntothemInjuns，an"findtherightbuckthata-way，an"tellhimthesquaw"sgotabucknow。Tellhimhe"sbarred。Whichatthisp"intinyourrevelationshe"sduetoofferafight，an"ofcourseyoutakeshim。Tellhimatfirst-drinktimeto-morrowmornin"hefindsmereadytofightforthesquaw。"
""Thiswholebusinessmakesmetired，though，"saysDave，aheapdisgustad。"IftheseeediotshadletthemInjunsalone-，oreveniftheydisdainstheponieswhentheywasbroughtup，thisyerecouldbefixedeasy。Butnowit"sfightorgiveupthewoman，soyougodown，asIsays，an"arrangeforthedance。"
"Ofcoursethar"snoexplainin"nothin"toInjuns。Youmightaswellwastetimeexpoundin"tocoyotesan"jack-rabbits。Allthat"sleftformetodoistrailoutaftermysavage，asDavesays，an"notifyhimthatthisweddin"hepro。posesispostponedan"allbetsisoff。
"Ifindshimeasyenough，an"sawsitoffonhiminSpanishhowthegamestacksup。Butheain"tcheerfulaboutit，an"displaysamightybalefulsperit。JestasTuttallowshe"souttoshootforthesquawinaminute，an"asthar"snogettin"awayfromit，Itellshimtopainthimse"fforwaran"comea-runnin"。
"Ihastocarryahardface；forwe"reshorelyinforit。YerewebefourdaysfromWolfville，an"theInjuns——an"Ireckonsthar"stwentybucksintheoutfit-iscampedinbetweenusan"he"p。
"ThisInjunwho"safterthewomanisnamedBlackDog。Thenextmornin"Tuttsaddlesupan"ridesofftoonesideofourcamp，mebbyit"saquarterofamile，an"thengetsoffenhisponyan"standsthar。We-allsdon"tonfoldtothetoweriststhedetailsofthedeal，noteventotheInjun"sfather-in-law。Thetoweristfemaleisthatign"rantofwhat"sgoing"on，she"spesterin""roundallonconscious，makin"bakin"-powderbiscuitatthetime。Ilooksatherclose，an"IwondersevenyetwhatthatBlackDog"sthinkin"of。
ButIdon"tgetmuchtimetobedisgustedoverthisBlackDog"stastebeforehecomesp"intin"outfromamonghispeople。
"Thesun"sjestgettin"overthehillstotheeast，an"，asitstrikeshim，he"sshoreafash"nablelookin"Injun。Heain"tgotnothin"onbutawar-bunnitan"acoatofpaint。TherestofhistrousseauheconfinestohisWinchesteran"belt。He"sonhiswar-
pony，an"thebronco"sstrippedasbareasthisBlackDogis；notastrapfrommuzzletotail。ThisbridegroomInjun"stieditsmanefullofribbons，an"throwsaredblanketacrosshispony"swithersforgeneraleffects。Takeitallover，he"sanifty-lookin"savage。
"Sofarasthedooelgoes，Daveain"trunnin"noresk。Hestandstharonthegroundan"keepshishossbetweenhiman"thisyereBlackDog。It"saplaywhichforcesthebridegroom"shand，too。He"sdue，bein"Injun，togocirelin"Davean"dohisshootin"onthecanter。
"An"that"swhatthisweak-mindedsavagedoes。Hebreaksintoalopean"goessailin""roundDavelikeahawk。Durin"themexerciseshelaysoverontheshoulderofhishossan"bangsawayfromonderitsneckwithonehand，permiscus。
"Thisismerefrivolity。Tharain"tnowhitegentwhocouldshootnoneondersechconditions；an"Injunscan"tshootnohow。Theydon"tsaveyahindsight。An"，asIremarks，ifDave"shitany，it"sgoin"
toshorelybeanaccident，an"accidentsdon"thappennoneinArizona；leastwisenotwithguns。
"MebbythisBlackDog"sbangedawaythreetimes，whenDave，who"sbeenfollowin"ofhim，throughthesightsforthirtyseconds，onhookshisrifle，an"thedealcomestoafullstop。Dave"sshootin"aSharp"s，withahundredan"twentygrainsofpowder，an"
thewayhesendsabulletplumbthroughthatwar-ponyan"thisyereBlackDog，who"shangin"onitsoffside，don"tbotherhimabit。
Theponyan"theBlackDoggoesoverontheirheads。
"Daveridesin，an"bringstheblanketan"war-bunnit。Eventhen，thefemaletowerist，whichistheobjectofthemeetin"，don"tseeminformednoneofthecourseofevents。Thefactis，sheneverdoesacquiretherightsofittillwe-allsistwodaysbackonthereturntrail。
"Thar"snomorebother。Injunsispartic"larpeople，thata-way，aboutetiquetteastheysaveysit，an"followin"Dave"sdownin"thisBlackDogtheyain"tmakin"amoanoramove。Theytakesitplentysolemnan"mute，an"goestolayin"outtheBlackDog"sobsequieswithoutnomorenoticeofus。It"sasquardeal；theyseesthat；an"
theyain"tfilin"noobjections。Asforourendofthegame，wemovesoutforWolfville，makin"noidledelayswhatever。
"Goin"in，Dave，afterthinkin"some，su"geststomethatit"slikelytobeaheapgoodstorynottotellTucsonJennie。
""Femalesisillogical，thata-way，"saysDave，"an"Iain"tgoin"
tohavetimetoeddicateJennietoaproperviewofthisyere。SoI
reckonsit"sgoin"tobeacraftyplaynottotellher。"
"TheBritonshasbeengonetwoweekswhenTucsonJennielearnsthestory。ThemtoweristsisplumbwearyofArizonawhenwetrailsintoWolfville，an"don"tseemtotarryasecondbeforetheylinesoutforTucson。
""Theyjesthitsahighplaceortwo，"saysJackMoore，afterhehearsofthemdesignsoftheBlackDog，"an"they"llbe"wayyonderoutofthecountry。Idon"treckonnoneof"em"llevercomebacksoon，neither。"
"Butit"sthetoweristwomanmakesthetroublefromstarttofinish。
It"saletterfromherwhichshewritesbacktoDave，allowin"
she"llthankhimsomemoreasherpreserver，thatbringsthenewstoJennie。TucsonJenniegetsthismissive，an"upsan"riflesan"
readsittoherse"fawholelot。It"sthenTucsonJenniegivesitoutcold，Daveisbreakin"herheart，an"tharuponprances"roundforhershakeran"goesovertoMissisRucker"s。
"Thewholecampknowsthestoryinanhour，an"whilewe-ailssympathizeswithDaveofcourse，noone"sblamin"TucsonJennie。
She"safemale，an"onresponsible，foronething；an"then，ag"inDave"saheaponlikelytostandanycondemnationsofhiswife。
""She"sasgoodawomanaseverwearsamoccasin，"saysDave，whilehe"srecoverin"ofhissperitsattheRedLightbar。
"An"we-allsallowssheshorelyis；an"theneverybodylookspensivean"sincerethata-way，so"snottoharrowDavenonean"makehisburdensmore。
""ButwhatevercanIdotofetchherbacktocamp？"asksDave，appealin"toEnrightmightywretched。"Igoesplumblocoedifthisyerekeepson。"
""Mynotionis，we-allsbetterputMissisRuckerintoplaythehand，"saysEnright。"MissisRucker"safemale，an"isshorelyduetoknowwhatkyardstodraw。Butthisoughterbealessontoyou，Dave，nottogoromancin""roundwithstrangewomennomore。"
""It"saforcedplay，Itellsyou，"saysDave。"ThemInjunshasustreed。It"sacaseoffightorgiveupthatshe-towerist，sowhatwasItodo？"
"`Well，"saysEnright，somesevere，"youmightatleasthaveconsultedwiththisyeretoweristwomansome。Butyoudon"t。Yousimplygetsagunan"goestrackin""roundinherdestinies，an"
shootin"upherprospectslikeyouhasapersonalinterest。Youdon"tknowbutshedeploresthedealcomplete。Peets，an"me，an"
Boggs，an"alltherestofusisyourfriends，an"nacherallypartialonyourside。We-allsfiggersyoumeanswell。ButwhatI
saysisthis:Itain"tnos"prisin"thingwhenTucsonJennie，a-
hearin"ofthempronouncedattentionswhichyoupaysthistoweristlady，isfilledwithgrief。Thisshootin"upanInjun，causehe"splannin"towedthisfemalesome，iswhatIshorelycallspronouncedattentions。Whatdoyouthinkyourse"f，Peets？"
""Why!IreadilyconcedeswhatDavesays，"remarksPeets。
"Ondoubtedlyheactsforthebestasheseesit。Butjestasyouputsit:s"poseDaveain"thungerin"noneforthistoweristwomanhimse"f，theheadlongwayhegoesafterthisyereBlackDog，settin"
ofthewar-jigthenextsun-up，an"allwithoutevensayin""Letmelookatyourhand，"tothisfemale，jestifiestheminferencesofyours。OfcourseIdon"tsay——an"Idon"treckonnone——Davethinksofthisold-maidmaverickonce；but，heseeshimse"f，htshoregoestowaraheapprecipitatean"onconsiderate，an"TucsonJenniehasondoubtedgroundstobuck。
""Which，whenyou-allsputsitsocl"ar，Ithinkssotoo，"saysDave，who"slistenin"toEnrightan"Peetsamightysightdejected。
IButIain"tbeenweddedlong——ain"tmore"nwhatyoumightcallanamaturehusband。Whatyou-allsoughterdonowishe"pmetoroundherup。IfTucsonJennie"sabunchofcattle，orabandofponiesashasstampeded，you"dbeinthesaddletooquick。"
"MissisRuckershoredoesallsheknowstosoftenTucsonJennie。Sheremindsherhowintheoldtimes，whenDavegetshischileconcarneattheO。K。House，andthepartyfromtheStatestakestoreprovin"
ofMissisRuckerabouttharbein"nothin"butcoffeean"beanstoeat，Daveonlimbershissix-shooteran"goestothefront。
""Thegrub"sdealtdown，"saysDave，explainin"tothisobnoxioustenderfoot，"tillthar"snothin"leftintheboxbutbeans，coffee，an"beans。It"sacat-hop，butitcan"tbehe"pednone。"
""Cat-hopornocat-hop，"saysthistenderfoot，"I"mdeadag"inbeans；an"youcangambleIain"touttodevournosechlowveg"tables；nonewhatever。"
""Youjestthinksyoudon"tlikebeans，"saysDave，an"withthathesorterdictatesatthetenderfootwithhisgun，an"thetenderfootthar-uponlaysforhisfrijoleslikehe"sactooallyhonin"tharfor。
""WhichitallshowsDave"sgotagoodheart，"saysMissisRuckertoTucsonJennie。
""That"snothin"todowithhismakin"lovetotheBritishwoman，"
saysTucsonJennie，grittin"herteethlikeshecouldeatthesightsoffenasix-shooter。
""Henevermakesnolovetothisyerewoman，"saysMissisRucker。
""Whenheketchesherflirtin"withthatInjun，"demandsTucsonJennie，"don"tDaveshoothimupalot？Whatdoyou-allcallmakin"
love？HeneverdownsnoInjunsforme，an"I"mhislawfulwife。"An"
yereMissisRuckerallows，whenshereportstoEnrightan"Davean"
therestoftheoutfitintheRedLight，TucsonJennieweepslikeherheartisshorelybroke。
""Whichtheporegirl"stobepitied，"saysEnright。"Dave，"hegoeson，turnin"toTuttsomefierce，"youdon"tdeservenosechdevotionasthis。"
""That"swhatever，"saysDanBoggs，lookin"redan"truculent，"thisyereTucsonJennie"saangel。"
"Buttharwebe，upag"instit，an"notamanknowsathingtodotosquar"thedealwithDave"swife。We-alls，callsfordrinksall"round，an"setsaboutan"delib"rates。AtlastDavespeaksupinalow-speritedway。
""Ireckonsshedonejumpsthegameforgood，"hesays。"Butifshe"sgoin"，Iwantshertohavealayout。Ifyou-allscarestogoovertotheNewYorkStore，IallowsI"llplayinabluestackortwoan"winheroutsomeduds。Iwantshertoquitthedealahead。"
"SoDavesetsoutfortheNewYorkStore，an"therestofussorterstragglesalong。Thar"snothin"gayaboutus。Davegetsashawlan"
adress；nothin"gaudy；it"saplainredan"yaller。MissisRuckerpacks"emovertoTucsonJenniean"getsthatwrappedupinthedealsheforgetsuttertorustleusourgrub。
"Which，it"stheonexpeetedashappensinWolfvillesameaseverywhereelse。TheminuteTucsonJennieseestheraiment，an"
realizeshowDavelovesher，thatsettlesit。Herheartmeltsrightthar。Sheain"tsayin"nothin"；jestropesontothedry-goodsan"
startssobbin"outforthe"dobywhereshean"Davelivesat。
"Dave，whenheobservesthisyerefrom"crossthestreet，shakeshandsall"round，butdon"ttrusthimse"fwithnoremarks。Hegivesourpawsasqueezelikeheknowshecanrelyonourfriendshipan"
huntshiswayacrosstoTucsonJenniewithoutaword。
""It"sallrightaboutbein"yoothfulan"light，thata-way，"saysEnright，afterDavepullshisfreight，"butTuttoughterrememberyereafter，beforehegoesmixin"himse"fupwithsechvainthingsastoweristsan"Injunsan"British，thathe"samarriedman。""
CHAPTERVIII。
THEMANFROMREDDOG。
"Letmetryoneofthemtharseegyars。"
Itwasthepleasantafter-dinnerhour，andIwasontheverandaforaquietsmoke。TheOldCattlemanhadjustthrowndownhispaper；thehalf-lightofthewaningsunwasabittoodimforhiseyesofseventyyears。
"WheneverIbeholdsaseegyar，"saidtheoldfellow，ashepuffedvoluminouslyattheprincipeIpassedover，"IthinksofwhatthatwitnesssaysinthemurdertrialatSocorro。
""Whatwasyou-alldoin"incampyourse"f，"asksthejedgeofthisyerewitness，"thedayofthekillin"？"
""Which，"saysthewitness，oncrossin"hislaigsan"lettin"onheain"tmadebashfulan"oneasybysomuchattentionsbein"shownhire，"whichIwasa-eatin"ofafewsardines，a-drinkin"ofafewdrinksofwhiskey，a-smokin"ofafewseegyars，an"a-romancin"
"round。""
Afterthisabrupt，nottosayambiguousreminiscence，theOldCattlemanpuffedcontentedlyamoment。
"Whatmurdertrialwasthisyouspeakof？"Iasked。"Whohadbeenkilled？"
"NowIdon"treckonIeverdoesknowwhoitisgetsdowned，"hereplied。"Thisyeremurdertrialitse"fisnewstomecomplete。Theywaswaggin"alongwithitwhenItrailsintoSocorrothattime，an"
Imerelysa"ntersovertotheco"tthata-waytohearwhat"sgoin"
on。Thejedgeissortergettin"inontheplaywhileI"mlistenin"。
""Whatwasthelastwordsofthisyeregentwho"skilled？"asksthejedgeofthiswitness。
""AsnearlyasIkeepstabs，jedge，"saysthewitness，`thedyin"
statementofthispersonis:"Fouracestobeat。""
""WhichifdeceasedhadknowedSocorrolikeIdoes，"saysthejedge，likehe"scommentin"tohimse"f，"he"dshorelyrealizedthatsechremarksissimplysooicidal。""
AgaintheOldCattlemanrelapsedintosilenceandthesmokeoftheprincipe。
"Howdidthetrialcomeout？"Iqueried。"Wastheaccusedfoundguilty？"
"Whichthetrialitse"f，"hereplied，"don"tcomeout。Thar"sapasseloftheboyswho"scomeintotowntoseethatjesticeisdone，an"bein"theround-upisgoin"for"ardatthetime，theynacherallyfeelshurriedan"pressedforleesure。Theyallsoughterbebackontherangewiththeircattle。Sothefifthday，whenthingsisloiterin"alongatthetrialtillitlookslikethelawhashobbleson，an"thewordgoesroundit"sgoin"tobeaweekyetbeforethejurygetsactiononthismiscreantwho"sbein"tried，theboysbecomesplumbaggravatedan"weariedoutthata-way；an"，kickin"inthedoorofthecalaboose，theysearchesoutthefelon，swingshimtoacottonwoodnototherwiseengaged，an"therightprevails。
Nacherallythetrialbogsdownrightthar。"
Afteranotherseasonofsilenceandsmoke，theOldCattlemanstruckinagain。
"Speakn"ofkillin"s，whileI"mthelastgenttogofosterin"ideesofbloodshed，I"msomediscouragedjestnowbywhatI"vebeenreadin"inthatpaperaboutadooelbetweensomeEytalians，an"itshorelytriesmethewaythemaliensplayshoss。It"sobviousasstarsonacl"arnight，theynevermeansfightalittlebit。I
abhorsdooels，an"cowersfromthemereidee。But，afterall，businessisbusiness，an"whenfolksfights"emtheobjectsofthemeetin"oughterbeblood。ButthewaytheseyereEuropeanshorthornsfixesit，agentshorelyrunsaheapmorereskofbecomin"aangelabrupt，attendin"ofaTexascake-walkinapurelysocialway。
"DotheyeverfightdooelsintheWest？Why，yes——some。Mymem"rycomesa-canterin"uprightnowwiththedetailsofanencounterI
oncebeholdsinWolfville。Tharain"tnotimemuchthrowedawaywithadooelintheSouthwest。Thepeople"smightyextemporaneous，an"
don"tgobrowsin""roundnonesendin"challengesinwritin"，an"
thatsortofflapdoodle。Whenagentnoticesthesignsa-gettin"
aboutrightforhimtogoonthewar-path，hepicksouthismeat，surgesup，an"declar"shimse"f。Thevictim，whoismostlikelyamightyseriousan"experiencedperson，don"tcoppertheplaybymakin"vainremarks，butbringshisgatlin"intoplaysurprisin"。
Nextit"sbang!bang!bang!mixedupwithflashesan"whitesmoke，an"thedooelisovercomplete。Thegentwhostilladornsourmidsttakesadrinkonthehouse，whileSt。Peteronbarsthingsalotan"
arrangesgatean"seatcheckswiththeotherintherealmsoflight。
That"salltharistoit。Thetideoflifeag"inflowsonwardtotheeternalsea，an"naryripple。
"Oh，thisyereWolfvilledooel!`Well，it"sthisa-way。Thedayisblazin"hot，an"businesslayin"pronean"dead——jestblisteredtodeath。Apasselofusissorterpervadin""roundthedance-hall，itbein"thebiggestan"cooleststoreincamp。Amontegameisstrugglin"forbreathinafeeble，fitfulwayinthecorner，an"
someofusisa-watchin"；an"somea-settin""roundloosea-
thinkin"；butallkeepin"muman"still，"causeit"ssohot。
"Jestthensomegentonahossgoeswhoopin"upthestreeta-yellin"
an"a-whirlin"theloopofhisrope，an"allowin"generallyhe"shavin"amightygoodtime。
""Who"sthisyeretoomultuousmanonthehoss？"saysEnright，a-
regardin"ofhiminadispleasedwayfromthedoor。
""Imeetshimupthestreetaminuteback，"saysDanBoggs，"an"heallowshe"scalled"TheManfromRedDog。"Hesayshe"stookadayofftovisitus，an"aimstolaywastethecampsomebeforehegoesback。"
"AboutthentheRedDogmannotesoldSantaRosa，whokeepstheMexicanbailehall，an"hisoldwoman，Marie，a-fussin"witheachotherinfrontoftheNewYorkStore。They"slockedhornsoveradrinkorsomethin"，an"ispow-wowin"mightyonamiable。
""WhateverdoesthisyereMexicanfam"lymean，"saystheRedDogman，a-surveyin"of"emplentyscornful，"a-draggin"oftheirdomesticbrawlsoutyeretooffendasufferin"publicfor？Whyeverdon"ttheystayintheirwickeyupan"fight，an"nottaketoputtin"
itallovertheAmericanracewhichain"tintheplaynonean"don"tthirsttharfor？However，Iunitesan"reeconcilesthisdividedhouseholdeasy。"
"WiththistheRedDogmandropstheloopofhislariat"roundthetwocontestantsan"jumpshisbroncoupthestreetlikeit"scomeoutenagun。OfcourseSantaRosaan"Mariegoesalongontheirheadspermiscus。
"Theygoescoastin"alongontiltheygetspulledintoamesquite-
bush，an"theropeslipsoffenthesaddle，an"thartheybe。We-allsgoesoverfromthedance-hall，extricatin"of"em，an"finaltheyroundsupmightyhaplessan"weak，an"canonlywalk。Theyshorelyloseenoughhidetomakeapairofleggin"s。
""WhichIbrings"emtogetherliketwins，"saystheRedDogman，ridin"backforhisrope。"Iofferstwotoone，nolimit，theydon"tfightnonewhateverforamonth。"
"Which，asitshorelylookslikehe"sright，noonetakeshim。SotheRedDogmanleaveshisbluffa-hangin"an"goesintothedance-
hall，a-givin"ofitoutcoldan"clammyhemeditateslibatin"。
""Allpromenadetothebar，"yellstheRedDogmanashegoesin。
"I"mawolf，an"it"smynighttohowl。Don"t"rouseme，barkeep，withthesightofmerelyonebottle；set"emallup。I"msomefastidiousaboutmyfire-wateran"likesachancetoselect。"
"Well，we-allstakesourinspiration，an"theRedDogmantuckshisonderhisbeltan"thenturnsroundtoEnright。
""Itakesityou"retheoldhe-coonofthisyereoutfit？"saystheRedDogman，soopercillious-like。
""Which，ifIain"t，"saysEnright，"it"splentysafeasaplaytoletyourwisdomflowthisa-waytillthehe-coongetsyere。"
""Ifthar"sanythin"，"saystheRedDogman，"Iturnsfromsick，it"svoylencean"deevastation。ButIhearssechcomplaintsconstantofthisyerecampofWolfville，Itakesmyfirstidledaytorideoveran"linethingsup。NowyereIbe，an"whileIregretsit，I
findsyou-allsisalawless，onregenerateset，aheapsightworsethanroomer。Inowtakesthenotion——forIseesnoothertrail——thatbynextdrinktimeIclimbsintothesaddle，throwsmyrope"roundthisdenofsin，an"removesitfromthemap。"
""Nacherally，"saysEnright，somesarcastic，"inmakin"themschemesyouain"tlookin"fornotroublewhateverwithabandoftarrapinslikeus。"
""Nonewhatever，"saystheRedDogman，mightyconfident。"InthirtyminutesIdistributesthisyerehamlet"roundinthelandscapesameasthemGreasers；whichfeatbecomin"hist"ry，IthencantersbacktoRedDog。"
""Well，"saysEnright，"it"splentyp"litetoletusknowwhat"scomin"thisa-way。"
""Oh!Iain"ttellin"younone，"saystheRedDogman，"Isimplyletsflythishint，soanyofyou-allsashasgotbric-a-brachevaluesspeshul，hetakeswarnin"somean"packsitoffallsafe。"
"It"saboutthenwhenCherokeeHall，who"slookin"on，shouldersinbetweenEnrightan"theRedDogman，mightypositive。Cherokeeisaheapsotinhisidees，an"Iseesrightoffhe"stookanotionag"intheRedDogman。
""Asyou"vegotalotofworkcutout，"saysCherokee，eyein"theRedDogmanmalignant，"s"posewetipsthecanteenag"in。"
""Ishorelygoesyou，"saystheRedDogman。"Idrinkswithfriend，an"Idrinkswithfoe；withthepardofmybosoman"theshudderin"
victimofmywrathallsim"lar。"
"Cherokeeturnsoutabigdrinkan"standsa-holdin"ofitinhishand。Iwantstosayrightyere，thisCherokee"splentyguileful。
""Youwasnamin"，"saysCherokee，"somepublicimprovementsyouaimstomake；sechasmovin"thisyerecamp"roundsome，Ibelieves？"
""That"swhatever，"saystheRedDogman，"an"theholycaustI
"nitiatesisduetostartinfifteenminutes。"
""I"vebeenfiggerin"onyou，"saysCherokee，"an"Igivesyoutheresultinstrictconfidencewithoutholdin"outakyard。Whenyou-
alltalksoftearin"upWolfville，you"realiaran"ahoss-thief，an"youain"tgoin"totearupnothin"。"
""What"sthisIhears!"yellsthefrenziedRedDogman，reachin"forhisgun。
"Buthenevergetsit，forthesamesecondCherokeespillstheglassofwhiskeystraightinhiseyes，an"thenexthe"sanguishedan"
blindasamole。
""I"llfoolthisyerehumansimoonupalot，"saysCherokee，a-
hurlin"oftheRedDogmantothefloor，facedown，whilehisnine-
inchbowieshinesinhishandlikethestingofawasp。"Ishorefixeshimsohecan"tgetajobclerkin"inastore，"an"grabbin"
theRedDogman"sha"r，whichislongasthemaneofapony，heslashesitoffcloseinonemotion。
""Thar"safringeforyourleggin"s，Nell，"remarksCherokee，a-
turnin"ofthecropovertoFaroNell。"Now，Doc，"CherokeegoesontoDocPeets，"takethisyereRedDogstrangerovertotheRedLight，fixhiseyesallright，an"thentellhim，ifhethinksheneedsbloodinthis，totakehisWinchesteran"gonorthinthemiddleofthestreet。IntwentyminutesbythewatchIstepsoutenthedance-halldoora-lookin"forhim。P"inthimtothedoorallfairan"squar"。Idon"taimtoplaynothin"lowonthisyeregent。
Hegetsachanceforhisante。"
"DocPeetssorteraccoomilatestheRedDogman，whoiscussin"an"
carryin"onscand"lous，an"leadshimovertotheRedLight。InaminutewordcomestoCherokeeashiseyesisroundin"upallproper，an"thathe"smakin"war-medicinean"isgrowin"morehostileconstant，an"toheelhimse"f。AtthatCherokee，mightyca"m，sendsoutforJackMoore"sWinchester，whichisan"eight-squar"，"latestmodel。
""Oh，Cherokee!"saysFaroNell，beginnin"tocry，an"curlin"herarms"roundhisneck。"I"m"fraidhe"sgoin"todownyou。Ain"ttharnowaytofixit？Can"tDanyeresettlewiththisRedDogman？"
""Cert，"saysDanBoggs，"an"Imakesthetriptoogleeful。Jesttospar"Nell"sfeelin"s，Cherokee，an"nottointerferewithnogent"slittlegame，Itakesyourhandan"playsit。"
""Notnone，"saysCherokee；"thisismydeal。Don"tcry，Nellie，"headds，smoothin"downheryallerha"r。"Folksinmybusinesshastoholdthemse"fsreadytofaceanygameontheword，an"theyneverweakensorlaysdown。An"anotherthing，littlegirl；IgetsthisRedDogsharp，shore。I"minthemiddleofarunofluck；Iholdsfourstwicelastnight，withaflushan"afullhandoutag"in"em。"
"NellatlastletsgoofCherokee"sneck，an"，bein"afemalean"
timidthata-way，allowsshe"llgo，an"won"tstoptoseetheshootin"none。Weapplaudstheidee，thinkin"shemightshakeCherokeesomeifshestays；an"ofcourseagentoutshootin"forhislifeneedshisnerve。
"Well，thetwentyminutesisup；theRedDogmangetshisrifleoffenhissaddlean"goesdownthemiddleofthestreet。Turnin"uphisbigsombrero，hesquar"s"round，cockshisgun，an"waits。ThenEnrightgoesoutwithCherokeean"standshiminthestreetaboutahundredyardsfromtheRedDogman。AfterCherokee"splacedheholdsuphishandforattentionan"says:
""WhenallisreadyIstandstoonesidean"dropsmyhat。You-allsfiresatwill。"
"Enrightgoesovertothesideofthestreet，counts"one，""two，"
"three，"an"dropshishat。Bangety!Bang!Bang!goestheriflesliketherollofadrum。CherokeecanworkaWinchesterlikeoneoftheseyereYankee"larm-clocks，an"thatRedDoghold-updon"tseemnonebehind。
"AboutthefifthfiretheRedDogmansorterstepsfor"ardan"dropshisgun；an"afterstandin"onsteadyforasecond，hestartstocripplin"downathisknees。Atlasthecomesaheadonhisfacelikealandslide。Thar"stwobulletsplumbthroughhislungs，an"whenwegetstohimtheredfrothiscomin"outenhismouthsomeplenteous。
"WepackshimbackintotheRedLightan"layshimontoamonte-
table。Bimebyhecomestoalittlean"Peetsaskshimwhateverhethinkshewants。
""Iwantsyou-allstotakeoffmymoccasinsan"packmeintothestreet，"saystheRedDogman。"Iain"tallowin"formyoldmotherinMissourytobetoldashowIdiesinnogin-mill，whichsheshorely"bominatesof"em。An"Idon"tdiewithnobootson，neither。"
"We-allspackshimbackintothestreetag"in，an"pullsawayathisboots。Aboutthetimewegets"emoffhesagsbackconvulsive，an"
tharheisasdeadasSantaAnna。
""Whatsortofagameisthis，anyhow？"saysDanBoggs，who，whilewestandsthar，hasbeenpawin"overtheRedDogman"srifle。"Lookslikethisvivaciousparty"splumblocoed。Yere"shishind-sightswedgedupforathousandyards，an"he"sbeena-shootin"ofcartridgeswithahundredan"twentygrainsofpowderinto"em。
Betweenthesightsan"thejumpofthepowder，he"sshootin"plumboverCherokeean"aimin"straightathim。"
""Nellie，"saysEnright，lookin"remorsefulatthegirl，whocolorsupan"beginstocryag"in，"didyoucold-deckthisyereRedDogsportthisa-way？"
""I"m"fraid，"sobsNell，"hegetsCherokee；soIslidesoverwhenyou-allsiswaitin"an"fixeshisgunsome。"
""WhichIshouldshorelyconcedeyoudid，"saysEnright。"ThewaythatRedDoggentmanip"lateshisweeponshowsheknowshisgame；
an"exceptforyoua-settin"thingsuponhim，I"mpowerfulafraidhe"dspoiledCherokeeawholelot。"
""Well，gents，"goesonEnright，afterthinkin"awhile，"Ireckonswe-allsmightaswelldrinkonit。Hist"rynevershowsagameyet，an"awomaninit，whichisonthesquar"，an"wemeeklyb"arsourburdenswiththerest。""
CHAPTERIX。
CHEROKEEHALL。
"An"youcan"tschedooletoomuchgoodabouthim，"remarkedtheOldCattleman。Herehethrewawaytheremnantoftheprincipe，and，securinghispipe，beattheashesthere-outandcarefullyreloadedwithcutplug。Inevitablytheoldgentlemanmustsmoke。Histoneandairashemadetheremarkquotedwerethoseofamanwhoseconvictionstouchingtheonediscussedwerenottobeshaken。"No，sir，"hecontinued；"whenIlooksback"arddownthetrailoflife，ifthar"sonegentwhoaforetimeholdsforthinWolfvilleonwhomI
reflectswithsatisfaction，it"sthisyereCherokeeHall。"
"Tojudgefromhisconduct，"Isaid，"inthehardcaseoftheWilkinsgirl，aswellashisremarkassheleftonthestage，I
shouldholdhimtobeapersonofsensibilitiesaswellasbenevolentimpulse。"
Itwasmypurposetocoaxtheoldgentlemantofurtherreminiscence。
"Benev"lent!"retortedtheoldman。"WhichIshouldshoreadmitit!
WhathedoesforthisyereyoungWilkinsfemaleain"tamarker。
Thar"stheRedDogmanheletsout。Thar"stheStingin"Lizard"snephy；hestakessaidyoothfrominfancy。"Benev"lent!"saysyou。
ThispartyCherokeeisthatbenev"lenthe"dgiveawayapokerhand。
I"vedonesetan"seehimgiveawayhishandinajack-potfortwohundreddollarstosomegent"crossthetablewho"sorganizin"togoag"inhiman"can"taffordtolose。An"youcanonderscoreit；awinnin"pokerhand，an"himholdin"it，isthelastthingathoroughbredkyard-sharp"llgiveaway。ButasIsays，IseesthisCherokeedoitwhentheopp"sitionissettin"inhardluckan"
couldn"tstandtolose。
"Howwouldhegivehishandaway？Throwitinthediskyardan"notplayitnone；jestnacherallyletthegentwho"sneedythata-wayrakeinthechipsonthelowhand。Cherokeemebbydoesitthisfashionso"shedon"twoundthefeelin"softhisyerevictimofhisgen"rosity。Thar"sfolkswhoturnssens"tivean"ain"touttotakealmsnone，who"sfeelin"shespar"sthata-waybylosin"to"ematpokerwhattheydeclineswithscorndirect。""Benev"lent，"isthewayyouputsit!Son，"benev"lent"ain"ttheword。ThissportCherokeeHallain"tnothin"shortofchar"table。
"Speakin"wideflungan"onrestrained，Cherokee，asImentionstoyoubefore，isthemodestest，decentestlonghornasevershakeshisantlersinArizona。Heissliman"light，an"aondoubtedkyard-
sharpfromhismoccasinsup。An"Ineverknowshimtohaveapesohedon"tgamblefor。Nothin"common，though；Iseeshimonenightwhenhesetsca"mlyintosomefour-handedpoker，fivethousanddollarstablestake，an"he"ssanguinean"hopefulaboutlandin"onhisfeetasaCimmaronsheep。Ofcoursetimesisplentyflushinthemdays，an"fivethousanddon"tseemnosechmammothsum。Tradeiseageran"
valueshigh；aces-upfrequentcallin"forfivehundreddollarsbeforethedraw。Stillweain"tnoneofusmakin"cigarettesofnosechrollasfivethousand。Thedaysain"tquitesohalcyonasallthatneither。
"ButwhatIlikesspeshulinCherokeeHallishisjedgement。He"severytimeright。Heain"ttalkin"much，an"heain"tneedin"adviceneither，more"nasteerneedsasaddle-blanket。Butwhenheconcloodestodothings，youcangamblehe"sgotitplentyright。
"OnetimethisCherokeean"TexasThompsoniscomin"infromTucsononthestage。BesidesCherokeean"Texas，alongcomesafemale，close-herdin"oftwoyoung-ones；whichtheminfantsmighthavebeent"rant"lersan"everyoneaheaphappier。Sorterasrange-bossofthewholeout。fitisaleangentinablackcoat。Well，theyhopsin，an"Cherokeegives"emthetwobackseatsonaccountofthefemalean"theyearlin"s。
""MynameisJones，"saysthegentintheblackcoat，whenhegetssettledbackan"thestageisgoin"，Ian"I"manexhortin"
evangelist。Iplucksbrandsfromtheburnin"。"
""I"mpowerfulgladtoknowit，"saysTexas，wholikestalk。"Themgamesofchancewhichhasvogueinthisyereclimeissomevarious，an"IdidthinkIshorelytests"emall；butifeverthedeviceyounamesisopeninWolfvilleIoverlooksthesamecomplete。"
""Pore，sinkin"soul!"saystheblack-coatgenttothefemale；"he"sa-flounderin"inthemireofsin。Don"tyouknow，"hegoesontoTexas，"myperishin"friend，youarebein"sweptdownwardintheriverofyourownsinfullifetillyoursoulwillbedrownedintheabyss？"
""Well，no，"saysTexas，"Idon"t。IallowsI"mmakin"amightydryfordofit。"
""Lost!lost!lost!"saystheblack-coatgent，a-leanin"backlikehe"splumbdejectedthata-wayan"hopeless。"Itisastiff-neckedgen"rationan"sorelyperversealot。"